McKercher partner appointed to federal bench

Paul Favel, who is a member of the Poundmaker Cree Nation, has been named as the newest addition to the Federal Court.

A partner at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon, Favel specializes in Aboriginal law with an emphasis on corporate and commercial law related to First Nations development. In that capacity, he has served as legal counsel to various First Nations, advising them on issues such as land designations, leases for commercial developments, land claims, and self-government negotiations.

Favel has been a deputy chief commissioner with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission since 2011 as well as a member of the Oversight Committee on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement since 2010. He has also taught courses in First Nations economic development at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Law.

Favel served on the Poundmaker Cree Nation Band Council from 2012 to 2013 and maintains close connections with his community.

He is a member of the bar in both Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.

His appointment is effective on Dec. 22, 2017. He will replace Justice James Russell, who has elected to become a supernumerary judge effective Dec. 11.